Manipur CM Advocates for Peace During Visit to Sinai Camp
Call for Peace in Manipur
CM Singh (centre) interacting with CRPF and Assam Rifles officers during the visit. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Oct 25: On Sunday, Manipur's Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged an end to the culture of violence during his visit to the Sinai camp located in Kangpokpi district. He emphasized that true peace and development cannot be achieved while violence continues to plague the region.
This visit marks a significant moment as it is the first time a sitting Chief Minister has visited a designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp. Singh took the opportunity to inspect the facilities and received updates from officers of the CRPF and Assam Rifles regarding the current security landscape.
“Manipur's progress hinges on the cessation of gun culture,” Singh stated, encouraging citizens to reject violence, surrender illegal firearms, and unite in the pursuit of peace and harmony.
Accompanied by government spokesperson and Heirok MLA Th. Radheshyam, Singh praised the bravery of CoBRA personnel involved in the operations.
He highlighted the importance of conducting security operations with caution to avoid harming innocent civilians, reiterating that the primary duty of security forces is to safeguard lives and property.
Later, Singh engaged with local civil society representatives and villagers in the vicinity.
This visit comes at a time of increased scrutiny regarding designated camps and the enforcement of regulations under the SoO framework, particularly following a joint security operation at the Sinai camp on October 23.
During this operation, security forces apprehended 17 individuals accused of impersonating registered members of the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA). They also confiscated 24 firearms, 38 magazines, a significant amount of ammunition, explosives, communication devices, and other military equipment.
The arrests have raised concerns about how these impersonators gained access to the designated camp, the presence of weapons, and the potential involvement of camp officials.
These matters are currently under investigation, and it remains unclear whether camp officials were complicit or the whereabouts of other cadres during the incident.
This operation followed the tragic killing of three Meitei civilians who were gathering firewood near Nongshum Hill in Imphal East district on October 19, which sparked protests and calls for accountability and enhanced security measures.
However, authorities have not established any direct connection between the 17 individuals arrested at Sinai camp and the killings that occurred on October 19.